A method for measuring the fluid flow distribution at exit from a right cylindrical, randomly packed bed

Abstract

A method for measuring the fluid flow distribution at exit from a right cylindrical, randomly packed bed of spheres has been investigated using a flow separator to prevent redistribution of the flow between the exit face of the bed and the plane of measurement. Three designs of separator were tested, for each of which steady fluid velocities were measured with a pitot static tube in the exit plane of the separator, and unsteady velocities with a hot wire anemometer. A separator with contracting flow passages was developed which facilitated measurement and reduced turbulence intensities without causing any significant flow redistribution within the bed. Measurements are presented for a loosely packed bed of glass spheres which show that the velocity profile is reasonably uniform over the bed except for a region within a half sphere diameter of the vessel wall. This differs substantially from the profiles measured by most previous investigators.